CAI or SRI?!?!?!? Are they even worth it?

[xXmazdaXx]

So I plan on getting a 2005 mazda 3 automatic (maybe manual, most likely not though) and the first thing I was going to add to it was either a CAI or SRI. I'm leaning more towards the SRI though because i dont like the idea of hyrdrolock with a CAI. So as of right now even though a know CAI adds more hp im deciding to go with a SRI UNLESS someone can assure me with facts of how to completely avoid hyrdrolock. I know you can buy a bypass valve but I'd like to know if those guarantee you wont get hydrolock..??..
but anyways my question is is getting a SRI even worth it??!! I'll leave a link of where i would buy one but i dont know if it'd even be worth it to buy one because iv'e read and heard that SRI's only add maybe about 5 hp and SRI's cost basically 200$ and up while CAI adds 10+ hp.

http://www.carid.com/2005-mazda-3-accessories/

if you know of any better places to potentially buy a SRI or CAI leave me a link please!

thank you in advance!!!

 

[Gravity]

Oh i'm probably going to regret responding...

5 minutes worth of google searching would answer your questions surrounding CAI vs SRI. This isn't exactly a new question. I think your expectations regarding the HP gains are pretty optimistic also.

Most SRIs or CAIs run between $150-$350 for most of our vehicles.

That said, If you're worried about getting 5-10HP for ~$300 then you should really stop thinking about 'tuning' or 'modding' right now. It's generally considered reasonable value if you can get 1-2HP/$100. It's not unheard of for guys to pay +$500 for 2-3% power gains. If you could see a real 10WHP gain on most vehicles (esp a mz3) for $300, most of us around here would have our wallets out faster than you could say zoom zoom.

 

[xXmazdaXx]

Oh i'm probably going to regret responding...

5 minutes worth of google searching would answer your questions surrounding CAI vs SRI. This isn't exactly a new question. I think your expectations regarding the HP gains are pretty optimistic also.

Most SRIs or CAIs run between $150-$350 for most of our vehicles.

That said, If you're worried about getting 5-10HP for ~$300 then you should really stop thinking about 'tuning' or 'modding' right now. It's generally considered reasonable value if you can get 1-2HP/$100. It's not unheard of for guys to pay +$500 for 2-3% power gains. If you could see a real 10WHP gain on most vehicles (esp a mz3) for $300, most of us around here would have our wallets out faster than you could say zoom zoom.

haha i understand that. i was just saying "if its worth it" because since im most likely getting an automatic would yous consider an investment like that "worth it". i was mainly looking for opinion based answers on that question and in regards to the hydrolock i was looking for facts.
and i dont know if you even bothered to look at the link i left above but one of the cai's priced at $273.17 it can gain you Up to 10.3 HP and 8.7 ft.lbs TQ Gain on a mazda 3. im aware that $280 is a great price for a gain of 10hp but i was also wondering if yous think its worth it though to get that gain with the chances of hydrolock.

 

[bbrich57]

In a word, no.

 

[number_twelve]

I'm not going to explain hydrolock and how you can avoid it and guarantee that you won't get hydrolock with a CAI. I will suggest that if you are hell bent on improving the power of the car and really really need it, you would be best served by getting the manual version of the car. I don't know the differences of wheel horsepower between the auto and manual versions, but on almost every car out there, the power to the wheels is more on the manual version. I say this because you mention you still might consider either transmission. I bet a stock manual car could beat an automatic version with a CAI.

 

[hat1018]

I have a CAI on my 06 MZ3 with AT. I got a hell of a deal on a used Injen from another member. Personally I would rather have that money back. Other than the sound I didn't notice much of a change performance wise. As far as the hydrolock issue goes, unless you drive thru substancial amounts of standing water I wouldn't worry about it. My CAI filter/intake is inside the drivers fenderwell and I doubt that in all the miles I have put on the car the filter has ever gotten any more than a very brief mist of water. Not enough to hydrolock the engine.

 

[adumbrille]

You won't hyrdolock unless you drive through a pool of water like a foot deep. I live in Washington state where it rains probably 75% of the year, and I don't hyrdolock driving on the freeway with sheets of water getting thrown at me off the back of a semi truck, or driving though mild standing water. The one friend of mine I know personally who hydrolocked, drove through a standing pool of water that he didn't know was 18 inches deep with an Injen intake. If you use common sense and don't try to go though a river you'll be fine. If you're going to get a bypass valve it will just negate the gains and you might as well go SRI. Also as the other person stated, your gains on an auto will be slightly less then a manual. An intake may gain you 8whp on a manual and only 6 on an auto.

 

[joe4190]

You often hear how an SRI or CAI can save gas and give you more HP.. honestly, I have a 09 Mz3 AT, I installed my Corksport SRI when I had no other mods.. I didn't feel fast that's for sure.. If anything it let my 3 have a Great sound and in the end I wasted more gas because I really enjoyed hearing that sound.. lol until I included Vibrant 4-2-1 headers and an exhaust on my car. That's where the real gains come from, when everything just comes together.

 

[joe4190]

I'm saying, its worth it... but only if your willing to put more money in the long run.

 

[fateexceeds]

Get the CorkSport SRI - end of story. They specialize in Mazdas, they have excellent customer service, and their prices are almost always lower than everyone else. You will gain slightly increased horsepower and torque (about 4-5) as well as slightly increased fuel economy (about 1-2 mpg highway).

 

[adumbrille]

When I had my corksport SRI, I ran very lean (up to +17% LTFTs) due to the air swirling from the cone filter being so close to the MAF sensor. These cars run better fuel trims with cold air intakes. All aftermarket cone filters swirl the air, and with a CAI, the longer length of the tube allows for the air to stop swirling before it reaches the MAF sensor, and thus it will read and meter the air more accurately. The MAF sensor was designed to read air coming from a flat panel filter, which doesn't swirl. Despite Corksport replicating the factory air straightener in its intake design, it still will run very lean. Yes the computer will compensate by adding fuel in its long term fuel trim tables, but it's just something to consider.

 

[mrsparks07]

When I had my corksport SRI, I ran very lean (up to +17% LTFTs) due to the air swirling from the cone filter being so close to the MAF sensor. These cars run better fuel trims with cold air intakes. All aftermarket cone filters swirl the air, and with a CAI, the longer length of the tube allows for the air to stop swirling before it reaches the MAF sensor, and thus it will read and meter the air more accurately. The MAF sensor was designed to read air coming from a flat panel filter, which doesn't swirl. Despite Corksport replicating the factory air straightener in its intake design, it still will run very lean. Yes the computer will compensate by adding fuel in its long term fuel trim tables, but it's just something to consider.

Thank you.

 

[Msugi07]

When I had my corksport SRI, I ran very lean (up to +17% LTFTs) due to the air swirling from the cone filter being so close to the MAF sensor. These cars run better fuel trims with cold air intakes. All aftermarket cone filters swirl the air, and with a CAI, the longer length of the tube allows for the air to stop swirling before it reaches the MAF sensor, and thus it will read and meter the air more accurately. The MAF sensor was designed to read air coming from a flat panel filter, which doesn't swirl. Despite Corksport replicating the factory air straightener in its intake design, it still will run very lean. Yes the computer will compensate by adding fuel in its long term fuel trim tables, but it's just something to consider.

Can you explain in more detail what LTFT's are? Also, what positive/negative effects will this have short/long term? I am about to purchase the Corksport SRI and will hold off now that I have read this thread.